Alisson reportedly told his advisers that England was his preferred destination. But there were no takers – despite assurances that the player’s German ancestry made him eligible for a European Union passport.

The age-group Brazil international was just three months away from making his senior debut in a World Cup qualifier against Venezuela, and Internacional were keen to cash in on the keeper.

But Liverpool decided to pass on the move and Alisson eventually signed with Serie A club Roma in February 2016 for just £6.7m.

The revelation that the decision not to take a punt on Alisson three years ago has cost Liverpool a staggering £63million will shock the club and their fans.

Liverpool have struggled to find a consistent goalkeeper since selling Pepe Reina in 2014, with Simon Mignolet and Lorius Karius both making high-profile errors in their time at Anfield.

After spending a season as understudy to Wojciech Szczęsny, the ex-Arsenal keeper’s move to Juventus opened the door for Alisson to make his breakthrough for I Giallorossi as they reached the Champions League semi finals last season.